Bengaluru founder recalls quitting Infosys to start business: ‘Family was so disappointed’
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Bengaluru entrepreneur Ujjawal Asthana reflects on leaving a secure job at Infosys in 2010 despite family reservations. He has since co-founded Zymrat, which was acquired by Styched, and is currently the CEO of TruFlo.
The Paradox of Stability: Ujjawal Asthana's Journey from Corporate Security to Entrepreneurial Success
In the landscape of Indian professional life, few names carry as much weight in terms of stability and prestige as Infosys. For many, a position at such a global IT giant is seen as the pinnacle of career security. However, the story of Ujjawal Asthana, the current CEO of TruFlo, serves as a compelling case study on the tension between traditional corporate expectations and the volatile, high-reward world of entrepreneurship. Asthana's decision to leave Infosys in 2010 highlights a pivotal moment in his life that mirrored a larger shift in India's professional psyche.
The Cultural Weight of the 'Corporate Dream'
When Asthana exited his role at Infosys in 2010, he faced significant reservations from his family. This reaction is deeply rooted in the socio-economic context of the time, where the 'IT boom' had established a gold standard for middle-class success: a steady paycheck, comprehensive benefits, and the social status associated with a Tier-1 tech company. The 'disappointment' expressed by his family was not a lack of faith in his abilities, but rather a reflection of the inherent risk aversion associated with leaving a guaranteed trajectory for the uncertainty of a startup. Even sixteen years later, Asthana notes with a sense of irony that his family still harbors a lingering nostalgia for the stability his Infosys job would have provided.
Evolution Through Diversification
Asthana's path to success was not a linear leap but an evolutionary process. Before entering the consumer goods market, he spent years honing his skills in the B2B sector, running a software development and consulting business. This initial phase was critical, as it allowed him to transition from an employee mindset to a founder's mindset, managing the complexities of client acquisition and technical delivery. This foundation in software and consulting likely provided the operational discipline required to later scale a consumer-facing brand in a highly competitive market.
The Rise and Exit of Zymrat
In 2018, Asthana pivoted toward the Direct-to-Consumer (D2C) space, co-founding Zymrat with his wife, Ankita Riva. Based in Bengaluru, Zymrat focused on performance apparel, tapping into the growing health and wellness trend in urban India. The success of Zymrat demonstrated Asthana's ability to identify market gaps and execute a brand strategy that resonated with modern consumers. The venture reached a significant milestone in 2023 when it was acquired by the fast-fashion brand Styched, marking a successful exit and validating the risks he had taken over a decade prior.
Current Leadership and Future Outlook
Today, Ujjawal Asthana serves as the CEO of TruFlo, continuing his trajectory as a serial entrepreneur. His journey from a corporate employee to a twice-over founder illustrates a broader trend in the Indian startup ecosystem: the migration of talent from established IT services to product-led ventures. As the D2C and software sectors continue to merge through technological integration, Asthana's diverse experience in both consulting and apparel puts him in a unique position to lead innovative business models.
Summary of Entrepreneurial Dividends
Ultimately, Ujjawal Asthana's narrative is one of calculated risk. While his family's disappointment serves as a lighthearted anecdote, it underscores the psychological barrier many aspiring entrepreneurs face in India. By moving from the predictability of Infosys to the volatility of software consulting and eventually to the success of Zymrat and TruFlo, Asthana has proven that the long-term dividends of entrepreneurship often far outweigh the immediate security of a corporate salary. His story remains a testament to the importance of resilience and the willingness to challenge conventional career norms.
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